XVI by Julia Karr

XVI by Julia Karr
Release Date: January 6, 2011
Publisher: Speak
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 272
Buy This Book: Amazon





Summary: In the year 2150, being a girl isn’t necessarily a good thing, especially when your sixteenth (read sex-teenth) birthday is fast approaching. That in itself would be enough to make anyone more than a little nuts, what with the tattoo and all – but Nina Oberon’s life has taken a definite turn for the worse. Her mother is brutally stabbed and left for dead. Before dying, she entrusts a secret book to Nina, telling her to deliver it to Nina's father. But, first Nina has to find him; since for fifteen years he's been officially dead. Complications arise when she rescues Sal, a mysterious, and ultra hot guy. He seems to like Nina, but also seems to know more about her father than he’s letting on. Then there’s that murderous ex-government agent who’s stalking her, and just happens to be her little sister’s dad."

My Thoughts: I have been reading more and more dystopian books lately huh? We are introduced to Nina who is 15 years old and fast approaching her 16 or sex-teen birthday. What does this mean? It means that basically any guy who wants too, can take advantage of her without any real rules or punishment and she can do what she basically wants sexwise. There is no law that says she can't. Most girls are looking forward to turning 16, including her best friend, because it signifies being grown up. They can go into a program to better themself or just have more rights sexually. Well, Nina wants none of that. She knows what that "program" really is and she does not have any interest in being with a guy either. She's happy to stay 15 forever.

Her mother is brutally murdered and Nina doesn't understand why. Nina and her sister have to move in with her grandparents and she spends most of the book trying to keep her sister safe from her sisters father (her mothers exboyfriend). Keep in mind that they don't have the same father. Nina thinks her father is dead but her moms last words were to find her father and give him a book so Nina is more confused than ever.

Nina also meets a mysterious guy named Sal. They become quick friends and he introduces her to a friend of his and she realizes that they all have more in common than they think.

XVI was a good book. Some parts made me mad because I wanted good things for Nina and I hated the way things were ran around town. I was happy with the outcome and the ending but I felt it was a little rushed and I wanted to see things tied up a bit more slower.  I wanted to know more about Sal and I wanted to experience more romance between them. Yes, there was romance but I just wanted more! Haha! 

I also liked all the characters. I liked Nina's friends, even the guys! And her best friend was a bit annoying but I wanted her to snap out of wanting to be a sex-teen before it was too late. I kept saying  open your eyes, open your eyes!!!

If you want to find out what happens with Nina, read the book! Does she ever find her father? Is her sister safe? What happens when she turns 16? What happens with Sal? Her friends?

Overall: I really enjoyed this one! I didn't love it quite as much as other dystopian's I've read lately but it was still overall an enjoyable read with a new take on becoming 16 or being old enough to have sex.

Cover: I like the cover. It has a dark angle to it. And we can't really see her eyes since its dark and it makes it more mysterious.

What I'd Give It: